ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificVietnam Hamster Law
I agree. They need to control it before it becomes a problem.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-13 09:20:00
Asia: East and PacificVietnam Hamster Law
Looks like a stiff fine if you have a hamster. So now I have to wear a helmet and not own a hamster! I won't have any fun on my next trip!

http://newsinfo.inqu...ticle_id=123417
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-10 12:19:00
Asia: East and PacificBlue
Awesome news! Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-12 09:20:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyone Bring Coffe Or Tea Back From Viet Nam?
Thanks for your input Peter, Etrnaly and Wideawake. That is the stuff I was looking for. I will have to bring a couple cases with me when I go in May.
Welcome home Wideawake! I hope you had a good time.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-26 08:51:00
Asia: East and PacificAnyone Bring Coffe Or Tea Back From Viet Nam?
I brought home dried squid and fish with no problems. The officer asked what kind of food I had and when I told him he said "enjoy". Thao wants me to bring her some oil when I return. I can't remember what it is called but it smells minty and is in a green and silver packaged. She says it is better quality and cheaper to buy in the states than what you get in Vietnam. Does anyone know what it's called and the best place to buy it?
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-25 10:13:00
Asia: East and PacificAfter 53 days in AP, finally got the pink!
Great News! Congrats! kicking.gif kicking.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-27 09:18:00
Asia: East and PacificWOOOHOOO!!! She got Pink!!!
Congrats!! kicking.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-01 08:11:00
Asia: East and Pacificsingle cert
I wasn't sure if I needed a single cert either. so to be safe, I went to the county I live in and they printed me a certified copy. It is only for the county I live in. It doesn't cover the state or country. I probably don't need it but I have it just in case. I plan on being in Vietnam for the interview so i am bringing everything I can think of.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-10 09:52:00
Asia: East and PacificUS Consulate - HCMC
I called again last night and the women scolded me for calling. She asked me if I received the email the sent me last week explaining not to call until the end of April. I said yes I read it. Then I tried to explain to her that the reason I called is because packet 3 took 6 weeks to get to Thao's house and I didn't want Packet 4 to show up after the interview date passed. Then I explained that I need to make arrangements for travel and vacation so I would like as much lead time as I can get. She said the interview is not for me and I don't need to be there.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I Thanked her and hung up.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-02 09:08:00
Asia: East and PacificUS Consulate - HCMC
If packet 3 doesn't arrive after 4 weeks, have your loved one go pick it up from the consulate. If she has all the documents required, she can return packet 3 the same day. It took 7 weeks for my fiancee to receive packet 3 in the mail. I am glad she saved us 3 weeks by picking it up herself.
Good Luck
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-28 08:41:00
Asia: East and PacificJust called HCM and got an interview date
Good Luck to all of you. I was going to call the consulate last night but didn't. I will call tonight for sure! We should be scheduled in May also!
Thanks for the info everyone!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-14 10:26:00
Asia: East and PacificCall all April’s Interview “Vietnam”
Thanks for the info Haonie! Good Luck! We are still waiting to hear from the consulate like MP.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-08 09:19:00
Asia: East and PacificAirline fares
QUOTE (Kevin and Tuyen @ Apr 17 2008, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Dave_Thao @ Apr 17 2008, 07:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I ended up paying $1154 from Minneapolis using United which isn't too bad I guess . That's leaving on Wednesday 4-30. The prices appear to jump dramatically one day later


Dave, did you use the travel agency in BP?


No, I didn't think about using an agency because I have miles with United and the price looked about right.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-17 10:24:00
Asia: East and PacificAirline fares
I ended up paying $1154 from Minneapolis using United which isn't too bad I guess . That's leaving on Wednesday 4-30. The prices appear to jump dramatically one day later
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-17 07:23:00
Asia: East and PacificI-134
Melrose Plant
Good question. I wasn't going to fill out a new I-134. I just have the most recent data on my income such as: latest paycheck, 2007 IRS transcript and 2007 W2. I don't see any reason to fill out a new form but I guess it can't hurt. You can never have too much evidence!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-18 14:56:00
Asia: East and PacificHCM interview date
I hope to see you in Saigon as well. We have the same attorney. We'll get there soon MP!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-09 09:14:00
Asia: East and PacificHCM interview date
MP,
Everytime I had my Senator contact HCMC, they would get the same canned response that I end up getting. Now my Senator says they must wait until the end of April to contact HCMC again.
I thought about trying to get them to expedite our case since it has been sitting at HCMC since November. Good Luck!
Dave
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-08 18:38:00
Asia: East and PacificHCM interview date
I am also waiting for the interview date. We sent in packet 3 Feb 25. I called twice now and got the same reply as everyone else. I sent an email today and we will keep calling until they give us a date.
Good Luck to everyone! Hope to see you in HCMC!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-03-21 08:56:00
Asia: East and PacificPsychology
QUOTE (Melrose Plant @ Apr 23 2008, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, you're right. Maybe I should just trade 'em all in for some nice boring black or brown ones.

Mai will definitely be wearing pink underwear that day, though. Probably pink shoes, also!


If I thought it would help, I may be wearing pink underwear while pacing the street outside! unsure.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-24 10:14:00
Asia: East and PacificInterviewed, Blue then Green then Pink.!!
Great news!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!Bring her home!!!!!! kicking.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-25 11:05:00
Asia: East and Pacificour wedding
Congrats Peter and Thi!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-28 10:06:00
Asia: East and PacificI leave tomorrow
Good Luck Melrose! I am right on your heels! I will arrive in Saigon on May 1 with a bus load of family waitng to take back to Ben Tre for a few days and then we go back to HCMC to prepare for the interview. Good Luck!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-28 10:10:00
Asia: East and PacificDouble Whammy Pink Slips!
I forgot to mention that the only evidence he wanted to look at were the text message bills. He wanted to match up the numbers to see if we were really texting each other.

Thanks to Mr. Ellis for preparing our case from way back when it was returned and all the way to the interview. You and Mr. Nam do great work!!!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-05-11 00:30:00
Asia: East and PacificDouble Whammy Pink Slips!
Thao and I thank everyone for the well wishes!
Her interview went easier than I thought it would. I didn't sleep for 2 nights worrying about what might happen. The consular only asked about 7 questions. He was an older Vietnamese gentleman and was very nice. He told Thao that he will do the interview in Vietnamese.

Q1) Do you speak English?
Q2) Who introduced you to your fiancee?
Q3) Why did you have the Dam Hoi so early in the 1st trip?
Q4) What are the names of your fiancee's brother?
Q5) What are your brother's name?
Q6) Did any of your fiancee's brothers attend the Dam Hoi?
Q7) Do you have any relatives in the USA?

Thanks again to Mai for helping Thao relax and reassuring her while you both were in the consulate together. Thanks to James and Mai for hanging around after you got your pink slip. That was an amazing thing you did and I will never forget it. You both are wonderful! Thao and I would love to come down to Iowa someday visit you. Thank-you Haonie! It was nice seeing you and your wife and I hope your knee gets better.

Thanks everyone again! It is time to enjoy Vietnam for 3 more weeks!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-05-11 00:16:00
Asia: East and PacificDouble Whammy Pink Slips!
James and I were waiting outside the consulate together when Mai came out waiving her hands with a pink slip. They were nice enough to hang around and comfort me for about 40 minutes while I anguished outside until Thao came out smiling with her pink slip.We will update you guys with more details soon. Thanks everyone from Melrose Plant and Dave_Thao!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-05-09 03:45:00
Asia: East and PacificSaigon Hotels
Thanks for the tip. Those look like 2 good places.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-23 12:18:00
Asia: East and PacificSaigon Hotels
Does anyone have a favorite Kach San they liked to stay at in Saigon? I searched the forum and found some places people stayed at in the past and I also found this link:
http://www.hotels-in...els_saigon.html
We stayed at Tien Hoa next to the New World last time I was there. I guess I am looking for inexpensive, clean, good service and closer to the consulate.
I will be in Vietnam for 4 weeks and if everything goes well at the interview, I would like to take Thao to Phu Quoc for a few days.

Edited by Dave_Thao, 22 April 2008 - 02:05 PM.

Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-04-22 14:05:00
Asia: East and PacificGood news! Good news!
You mean lost, as in lost permanently?

And you managed to fit all that stuff PLUS all of Thao's shoes in one suitcase?
[/quote]
We had 3 boxes and 1 suitcase. One box was full of food items for Thao's Aunt in the USA. The suitcase was delivered to my house yesterday with everything inside. Even my Johnnie Walker Blue! It was a heavy case!
Have a safe trip home James and Mai.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-01 21:11:00
Asia: East and PacificGood news! Good news!
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Thao and I are at my home in Minnesota now. We arrived yesterday. We got the visa 2 days before I was leaving. It was a very stressful trip my from the time I arrived in Vietnam to the time we landed in Minneapolis. To top everything off, the airline lost on of my suitcases. It contained all my clothes, all of Thao's shoes and some clothes and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue. She alo put her Vietnam ID in the case for some reason. I hope this won't cause a problem down the road.
Thanks again everyone!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-05-30 21:58:00
Asia: East and PacificPink slip
Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-02 14:42:00
Asia: East and PacificFinally home!
Welcome back James and Mai! Sorry to hear about the travel problems. My suitcase was trashed going to Vietnam, so I bought a new one for the trip home. That one got trashed too!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-04 06:32:00
Asia: East and Pacific15 minutes interviewed
Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-03 09:07:00
Asia: East and PacificFirst Day in the USA
Welcome home James and Mai! Glad you made it! Thao is still amazed that there are no motobikes, people and food stands along the sides of the road. Everything is more streamlined. Unlike the kaos you see on Vietnam roads. She wonders where all the people are.
I have had to teach her how to use the washing machine and dryer, microwave oven, vacuum cleaner and electric stove but she doesn't want to use the dishwasher. She said it uses too much water and electricity. The first night in Minnesota she wore my deer hunting blaze orange coat and mukluks in the house. I told her it's not that cold now, wait until January.
Welcome back!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-05 07:29:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC May30th Interview
Congrats! Way to Go!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-10 10:02:00
Asia: East and PacificHow many people have met in person?
Nice talking to you last night James and Thao enjoyed talking to Mai. biggrin.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-12 08:26:00
Asia: East and PacificVISA recieved today! Thank you Lord!
Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-16 08:48:00
Asia: East and PacificRecieved interview date
Congrats Tway22! Good luck with the interview! Will you be traveling to Vietnam?
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-17 06:48:00
Asia: East and PacificFinally got Interview date..
Good Luck! good.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-18 08:23:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa Denied
I am sorry to hear they are sending it back. It took 5 months from the time the consulate sent back our petition to the time CSC told me it was expired and I may file a new one. There have been a few cases after ours that were sent back and they have since re-filed. Your old case should be resolved in one way or another before you should start a new one. Haole canceled theirs. I waited until CSC notified me that it had expired. It appears that CSC does not review returned cases. I haven't seen returned petitions get re-adjudicated and allow the petitioner to appeal the consulates findings recently. But just to make sure, you should continue to gather as much evidence as you can. Keep it in order so you can send it to CSC quickly if they happen to send you a NOID. Send more letters,emails, money and document your phone calls to Ha.
When you file a new case include all the evidence you have at the time in the new petition. More is better.
There has been a lot of debate about whether you will need to request an IMBRA waiver the second time around. I filed one but I didn't receive any notification that it was granted so I don't know if I needed it.

I hope everything works out for you two.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-24 14:51:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa Denied
QUOTE (AmericanGentleman @ Jun 19 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks all for your input. As upset as I am, I am going to remain positive. If it does go back, as it is likely to, I guess I have about 2 years from today before she will be sitting down for round 2's interview right?

American, ME may be in the States right now. When I was in his office in May,I thought I heard him say he was going to the U.S. soon. I would wait until you talk to him before sending the consulate your letter. It isn't too late for him to get involved. I believe you have time to respond to the blue slip. It may say how much time you have on the bottom some where. I don't have mine with me so I can't tell you for sure. Relax and take your time to do it right. It isn't over yet.
Hang in there!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-06-20 07:15:00